Hi everyone,
I have been thinking of selling my Infinity but I need some confirmation in some things with regards to wiping the device clean.
I am currently running the latest CROMI-X. So what I wanted to do is wipe everything in my internal storage (all the datas or any kind of prints that shows my usage) and then flash back the latest CROMI-X.
So a couple of things in wipe. I am using TWRP 2.5 as of the moment. So if I wanted to achieve the one I mentioned above which kind of wipe should I do?
If I go to Advanced Wipe: I can see that Dalvik Cache, System, cache, Data and Micro SDcard is present there... If I go ahead and check all of these (except for the Micro SD Card) I believe that I this would also delete the OS itself. Am I correct? If this does it, will I still be able to install a ROM for my infinity? There's also the option of Format Data,which I think wipes clean my internal storage (pictures, videos, etc). This won't affect the System, right?
If you guys have a better suggestion on how to actually do this, please let me know as well. I apologize if there's a lot of question here... I just wanted to make sure that I am doing this right as I don't want to brick my device before actually selling it. Thanks.
To delete all user data, format /data. This automatically includes dalvik-cache and /data/media aka /sdcard. You don't need to format /system as it contains only the ROM.
If you are paranoid that a potential buyer could use "undelete" tools and piece together fragments of your data on the block level, then before formatting /data, you can completely overwrite the data partition from the recovery with the following command (in the "advanced" menu or via adb shell): "dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p8 bs=256k".
Related
Ok, with all of the talk about making sure folks do a full wipe before installing ICS, I would like to get some clarification on all of the different wiping methods and which is the best way...
I know of these ways:
1. Via custom recovery - you can wipe data, system, cache, etc.. individually.
2. Via holding Power+VolumeDown until bootloader text appears,, then wait until menu appears and select the Wipe Data option (instead of the cold boot option).
3. Via AARD SuperWipe full script
And then of course, there is the "Reset to factory defaults" in the OS itself...
Which is the best to use? I would assume the AARD SuperWipe full would be the most thorough as it recreates the partitions and everything (instead of just formatting them).
FOr users that have the ability, would an NVFlash of the OS be "more thorough" than CWM method?
Opinions/Experiences?
Thanks!
Don't use super wipe script. A lot of people reported having problems of some ROMs not flashing correctly after using it. There is no reason to use the "full" version anyway. It formats the /media partition(your internal storage partition) which you don't want to nor need to format.
Wipe Data in your #2 does pretty much the same thing as "Reset to factory defaults". They both wipe /data and /cache but do not touch /system.
The most thorough way of wiping that I use is via CWM.
I do all of this within CWM if I want to ensure a clean install of a new ROM and it has never failed.
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- advanced / Wipe Dalvik Cache
- Mounts and Storage / format /system
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
horndroid said:
Don't use super wipe script. A lot of people reported having problems of some ROMs not flashing correctly after using it. There is no reason to use the "full" version anyway. It formats the /media partition(your internal storage partition) which you don't want to nor need to format.
Wipe Data in your #2 does pretty much the same thing as "Reset to factory defaults". They both wipe /data and /cache but do not touch /system.
The most thorough way of wiping that I use is via CWM.
I do all of this within CWM if I want to ensure a clean install of a new ROM and it has never failed.
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- advanced / Wipe Dalvik Cache
- Mounts and Storage / format /system
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried ALL of the above methods - all with the exact same results, to be honest...
Even if I revert back to honeycomb (even after a full wipe), I STILL exhibit the reboot issues (it's not just me - look around). This was NOT happening before with the exact same version of Revolver. This tells me that there is still yet something else that was changed during the ICS updates. We know the bootloader was updated - i'm now testing ICS with the old bootloader.
Other than the bootloader, what else could have changed?? Unless they upgraded the firmware on a particular device during the ICS update (wifi chip, bluetooth chip, etc). Other than that, I just can't come up with an explanation as to why Honeycomb won't even run properly anymore!
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
horndroid said:
I am not sure how NVFlashing a ROM does a clean install? As far as I know, it just flashes whatever it's told to flash. It wouldn't even touch /data if you were just flashing a ROM with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use the --create flag, nvflash will format ALL the partitions and then flash them. If you use the --download flag, it will just overwrite the partitions you send it.
That being said, I agree at your wiping method is more than enough. Most times, I don't bother wiping, especially data.
sent from my cyanogen(mod) vision
I am curious about doing an internal data wipe before flashing a new Rom. I am using TWRP 2.5.5. I am on the 4.2 bootloader and am about to update to the new CROMi. I know that doing a factory reset wipes dalvik, cache, and system, am I wrong in thinking this still leaves some stuff left over on your internal SD? If it does, I want to format all of it. I have the 4.2.1 bootloader, the CROMi rom, and a 4.2.1 stock nandroid backup I made in TWRP all saved on my external SD. What I dont understand is if I format all the data on the internal, how will the tablet know what to do when I boot it back up? Will TWRP be lost? If it does boot back up, what will it boot back up to? I just dont quite understand this internal SD formatting thing so well, so I am asking for some help so I can avoid doing something stupid. I know this is possible because I have read about other people doing it in the CROMi thread, I just want to make sure I am not missing anything
Your tablet has the following partitions (and some others which are irrelevant for this discussion):
- Bootloader
- Recovery
- Linux kernel
- Cache partition (/cache)
- System partition (/system)
- Data partition (/data)
The internal SD card is an emulation that uses /data/media as storage. So if you format /data, that removes all user data including the contents of your "internal SD card" emulation. I don't know why the normal "factory reset" somehow deletes only the rest of /data excluding /data/media. It may be convenient but not what I would understand as "factory reset".
If you format /system (which is not touched by a factory reset), you won't be able to boot Android unless you install a new ROM before you reboot. You don't need to format /system, it's done by the CROMI installer anyway.
_that said:
Your tablet has the following partitions (and some others which are irrelevant for this discussion):
- Bootloader
- Recovery
- Linux kernel
- Cache partition (/cache)
- System partition (/system)
- Data partition (/data)
The internal SD card is an emulation that uses /data/media as storage. So if you format /data, that removes all user data including the contents of your "internal SD card" emulation. I don't know why the normal "factory reset" somehow deletes only the rest of /data excluding /data/media. It may be convenient but not what I would understand as "factory reset".
If you format /system (which is not touched by a factory reset), you won't be able to boot Android unless you install a new ROM before you reboot. You don't need to format /system, it's done by the CROMI installer anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aweomse! Thanks for helping me understand that a little better. My first ROM was CROMi 3.4.4 and I researched all this for about an entire week before I started this but I never fully understand the difference with formatting internal SD and factory reset. I have always installed the new ROM before rebooting anyway but it is nice to know CROMi does the system wipe for you. Didnt know that. If I were to do a complete wipe, would I need to install the most recent 4.2 bootloader prior to installing CROMi so it is there for CROMi to build on?
Oh, and btw your Kernels for CROMi are outstanding.
Turin87 said:
My first ROM was CROMi 3.4.4 and I researched all this for about an entire week before I started this but I never fully understand the difference with formatting internal SD and factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is even official TWRP documentation about wiping: http://teamw.in/whattowipe
(I personally have never used any of the wipe options so far, so I am just repeating what I read about it)
Turin87 said:
If I were to do a complete wipe, would I need to install the most recent 4.2 bootloader prior to installing CROMi so it is there for CROMi to build on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no "wipe bootloader" option, so there is no need to reinstall the bootloader. Wiping the bootloader would also brick your device and you would need nvflash to recover.
_that said:
There is even official TWRP documentation about wiping:
(I personally have never used any of the wipe options so far, so I am just repeating what I read about it)
There is no "wipe bootloader" option, so there is no need to reinstall the bootloader. Wiping the bootloader would also brick your device and you would need nvflash to recover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. Glad I didnt attempt that. My firmware version was .30 so nvflash was not an option for me. Thanks again for your help.
I would like to wipe internal storage to make better/clean install of the ROM (
with old S3 i make a folder on Ext SD with .zip file
reboot to cwm
backup
wipe all (cache + data + system + internal storage)
install (rom + gapps + kernel)
reboot
As you know on 1+ there is no Ext Sd
Someone has already tried to do:
copy .zip file to a folder on PC
reboot to TWRP (2.8.0.1)
make a backup
connect phone to pc and mount data
copy backup from 1+ to Pc
advanced wipe (cache + data + system + internal storage)
copy .zip file from PC to 1+
install (rom + gapps + kernel)
reboot
Can it work?
P.s. I have no OTG cable or USB
You should be able to wipe everything and install the Rom-Zip via ADB-Push.
Why dont you try to install the new rom in recovery with a normal wipe and after you falsh the rom + gapps do a wipe of the internal sdcard should have the same affect ?
are you out of your mind? DO NOT WIPE INTERNAL!!! WIPE SYSTEM AND DATA ONLY
here's my thread for when you wipe internal and brickloop your phone!
markbencze said:
are you out of your mind? DO NOT WIPE INTERNAL!!! WIPE SYSTEM AND DATA ONLY
here's my thread for when you wipe internal and brickloop your phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Interesting thread. However, I wipe my internal storage (for a "full" wipe) everytime I flash a new rom or even the weekly of a same rom and luckily I haven't ran into the problems in your thread.
to the OP: I put all of my zip files in a USB otg so flashing is a bit simpler. This includes all of my nandroid and media.
I would wait to wipe the internal storage until you figure out which route you want to use (USB-otg or ADB)
Until then a normal factory reset in your recovery should be good. Also as @Hogyoku metioned you can erase internal from within the Rom to get the same effect.
Sent from my One A0001 using XDA Free mobile app
Mojar7070 said:
Wow. Interesting thread. However, I wipe my internal storage (for "full" wipe) evertime I flash a new rom or even the weekly of a same rom and luckily I haven't ran into the problems in your thread.
I do put all of my zip files in a USB otg so flashing is a bit simpler.
Sent from my One A0001 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not wise. You should never wipe internal plain and simple. All that s required for full wipe is system and data. If you continue doing so, you're going to find out the hard way one day
markbencze said:
That's not wise. You should never wipe internal plain and simple. All that s required for full wipe is system and data. If you continue doing so, you're going to find out the hard way one day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This i what the OP wanted i'm not saying it's smart .....
::I would like to wipe internal storage to make better/clean install of the ROM :
Hogyoku said:
This i what the OP wanted i'm not saying it's smart .....
::I would like to wipe internal storage to make better/clean install of the ROM :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
who ever is saying to wipe internal doesn't know what they're doing. This is the last I will mention of this here. There is no need and it's dangerous. That's how efs and the persist files get wiped and you find yourself in some serious trouble.
when installing a rom all that is needed is wipe data and system. Not cache, not dalvik and certainly not internal.
So many people have a misconception on how to properly wipe and everything seems to think they need to wipe caches on top of system and data. Well guess what, when you wipe system and data the caches get wiped too so it's just an extra unneeded step. And some people will post crap saying to wipe 3 times when flashing etc. They are simply making things up
markbencze said:
who ever is saying to wipe internal doesn't know what they're doing. This is the last I will mention of this here. There is no need and it's dangerous. That's how efs and the persist files get wiped and you find yourself in some serious trouble.
when installing a rom all that is needed is wipe data and system. Not cache, not dalvik and certainly not internal.
So many people have a misconception on how to properly wipe and everything seems to think they need to wipe caches on top of system and data. Well guess what, when you wipe system and data the caches get wiped too so it's just an extra unneeded step. And some people will post crap saying to wipe 3 times when flashing etc. They are simply making things up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markbencze said:
That's not wise. You should never wipe internal plain and simple. All that s required for full wipe is system and data. If you continue doing so, you're going to find out the hard way one day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
markbencze said:
are you out of your mind? DO NOT WIPE INTERNAL!!! WIPE SYSTEM AND DATA ONLY
here's my thread for when you wipe internal and brickloop your phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
om22 said:
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omg man you are not helping things here. Do you think its just a coincidence that everyone with these bricks wiped internal?
Considering I found the fix to this issue I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. But nice try.
Anyway I'm done here. I came here to help people recover from their bricks which I have done.
markbencze said:
Omg man you are not helping things here. Do you think its just a coincidence that everyone with these bricks wiped internal?
Considering I found the fix to this issue I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. But nice try.
Anyway I'm done here. I came here to help people recover from their bricks which I have done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really nice of you that you did that guide. But there is no way that bricks could have to do with that wipe. There is no way an internal wipe could corrupt any other partition than /data/ (efs, persist anything) beside of a bug in the recovery. Wiped internal several times on every phone and also the OPO with TWRP 2.8.0.1 and as you can see it's still running.
om22 said:
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although you are right about this I still think it ain't smart to advice this on this forum. A lot of noobs around here, much more than in any sub forum of a phone I ever owned.[emoji6]
om22 said:
This is complete bull****. Internal wipe will NEVER destroy anything it just wipes the whole /data/ instead of leaving /data/media. If you want your usb storage / internal sdcard / whatever you call it to be erased that's the one to choose. For a complete clean install:
1. BACKUP EVERYTHING YOU MIGHT EVER NEED AGAIN.
2. Grab ROM and GAPPS and put it on internal storage
3. Boot recovery and wipe DATA, SYSTEM, CACHE (dalvik is not needed because it's located on /data)
3. Flash ROM and GAPPS
4. Wipe internal storage
5. Stop talking about things you don't know correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
Am currently on Crombi KK, looking to try out the Lollipop 5.0.2 Zombi-Pop Beta. I know just enough to be dangerous. Installed Crombi-KK to internal, then reinstalled to run ROM2sd a while back, SDcard set up in GParted. Have TWRP 2.8.4.0, just want some clarification on how and what to wipe. ROM thread states to do a full wipe, but I've never been totally sure on what constitutes a full wipe from recovery. From Wipe option in TWRP, there is Advanced Wipe and Format Data. Do I chose one or another or both? In Advanced Wipe, there are 6 partitions:
Dalvik Cache
System
Cache
Data
Internal Storage
Micro SDcard
What one(s) do I select? Since I'm running ROM2sd, do I need to run ROM2sd zip first?
TIA
OneFore9 said:
Am currently on Crombi KK, looking to try out the Lollipop 5.0.2 Zombi-Pop Beta. I know just enough to be dangerous. Installed Crombi-KK to internal, then reinstalled to run ROM2sd a while back, SDcard set up in GParted. Have TWRP 2.8.4.0, just want some clarification on how and what to wipe. ROM thread states to do a full wipe, but I've never been totally sure on what constitutes a full wipe from recovery. From Wipe option in TWRP, there is Advanced Wipe and Format Data. Do I chose one or another or both? In Advanced Wipe, there are 6 partitions:
Dalvik Cache
System
Cache
Data
Internal Storage
Micro SDcard
What one(s) do I select? Since I'm running ROM2sd, do I need to run ROM2sd zip first?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A full wipe is a wipe of data, cache and Dalvik. In most cases that is sufficient moving to a different rom base and the default in TWRP under the Wipe menu.
If you encounter weird problems, format /data/ (and don't interrupt it. Takes 90 minutes or so!)
There are only very specific scenarios where wiping /system would make sense. /system gets formatted anyway during rom installation - no need to wipe it.
Internal storage - if you want to get rid of everything but do not want to format /data/. Wiping data wipes everything except /data/media/ in TWRP (that's where your personal files live). Wiping Internal Storage wipes everything including /data/media/
Micro SD - wipes your microSD or - in the case of data2sd/rom2sd - the fat32 partition thereof.
If you want to wipe/format your rom2sd /data or /system partitions, yes - you have to flash rom2sd1.zip first
Hey there.
Im planning on buying the LG G2 32GB version since its a pretty good phone for a pretty cheap price. Now I know that it doesnt have an SD card opening, and you only got the internal storage. This isnt a problem for me but Ive got a question when it comes to flashing a custom rom.
When flashing a rom you first have to go to recovery and do a factory reset and wipe the dalvik cache. I know the drill since ive been using CM11 on the phone I have right now (LG L7 II) normally you have to place the .zip from teh rom on the sd card and then flash it. but this phone doesnt have an SD card wich means youll have to put it on the internal storage. But when you do a factory reset all the internal files get deleted, wich means also the .zip from the rom will be gone. the same goes for nandroid backups. can anyone explain to me how to get teh trick done?
Thnx in advance
Arthurvben said:
Hey there.
Im planning on buying the LG G2 32GB version since its a pretty good phone for a pretty cheap price. Now I know that it doesnt have an SD card opening, and you only got the internal storage. This isnt a problem for me but Ive got a question when it comes to flashing a custom rom.
When flashing a rom you first have to go to recovery and do a factory reset and wipe the dalvik cache. I know the drill since ive been using CM11 on the phone I have right now (LG L7 II) normally you have to place the .zip from teh rom on the sd card and then flash it. but this phone doesnt have an SD card wich means youll have to put it on the internal storage. But when you do a factory reset all the internal files get deleted, wich means also the .zip from the rom will be gone. the same goes for nandroid backups. can anyone explain to me how to get teh trick done?
Thnx in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The device will have an emulated external SD partition, and this partition is untouched when you wipe system/cache/data before flashing a new ROM. Stuff like photos, videos, and other files are saved in this partition too. This partition can be wiped from recovery (TWRP/CWM) if needed, but typically isn't and shouldn't be lest you lose all your stuff (including ROMs, Gapps packages, and nandroid back-ups). Just make sure you do wipes within recovery, and not a "factory reset" through the device itself, which will wipe all your stuff.
Planterz said:
The device will have an emulated external SD partition, and this partition is untouched when you wipe system/cache/data before flashing a new ROM. Stuff like photos, videos, and other files are saved in this partition too. This partition can be wiped from recovery (TWRP/CWM) if needed, but typically isn't and shouldn't be lest you lose all your stuff (including ROMs, Gapps packages, and nandroid back-ups). Just make sure you do wipes within recovery, and not a "factory reset" through the device itself, which will wipe all your stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So when I do a system wipe in TWRP all that stuff will stay untouched? (is this also the case with phones who DO have an external SD?)
Arthurvben said:
So when I do a system wipe in TWRP all that stuff will stay untouched? (is this also the case with phones who DO have an external SD?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In TWRP, when you tap "wipe", tap "advanced wipe", you're given the following options (I'm looking at v2.6.3.2 on my LG G Pad 8.3)"
Dalvik Cache
System
Data
Internal Storage
Cache
Micro SDcard
When doing a clean install of a ROM, you wipe Dalvik Cache, System, Data, and Cache. Internal storage is the emulated SD card, and (obviously) Micro SDcard is your microSD card. If supported, USB OTG will also have an option for wiping. If the device doesn't have a microSD card slot, you won't be given the option. If you want to flash a ROM (or whatever) just save it to whatever folder (like "Downloads", or make your own) you want, do the appropriate wipes, then flash from internal storage.
Thnx
Planterz said:
In TWRP, when you tap "wipe", tap "advanced wipe", you're given the following options (I'm looking at v2.6.3.2 on my LG G Pad 8.3)"
Dalvik Cache
System
Data
Internal Storage
Cache
Micro SDcard
When doing a clean install of a ROM, you wipe Dalvik Cache, System, Data, and Cache. Internal storage is the emulated SD card, and (obviously) Micro SDcard is your microSD card. If supported, USB OTG will also have an option for wiping. If the device doesn't have a microSD card slot, you won't be given the option. If you want to flash a ROM (or whatever) just save it to whatever folder (like "Downloads", or make your own) you want, do the appropriate wipes, then flash from internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for a clean explanation!